Walnuts market in ECOWAS

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, walnut production in ECOWAS remained stable at around 128 thousand tons per year, while market volume fluctuated slightly between 127 and 128 thousand tons. The ECOWAS Commission's initiative to collect data on informal cross‑border trade in 2018 likely improved the commercialization of nuts in the region. Additionally, the ECOWAS Priority Action Plan 2020‑2024, which includes measures to strengthen food security and agricultural competitiveness, provided policy support that helped maintain stable production levels during this period.

A notable expansion occurred from 2022 onward. Production rose to 135 thousand tons in 2022 and reached 145 thousand tons in 2023, driving market volume up to 134 thousand tons and 144 thousand tons, respectively. This growth coincided with the implementation of the EU‑funded OCWAR‑C project, which aims to enhance the processing of agricultural, fisheries and handicraft products, including efforts to upgrade the walnut value chain.

Production walnuts in ECOWAS

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of walnuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of walnuts, 2017-2020

In 2020, ECOWAS produced 128.0 K t of walnuts, remaining virtually unchanged from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 19.6%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 6.2%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 128.0 K t, with the largest annual increase occurring in 2018 at 18.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in ECOWAS in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports walnuts from ECOWAS

Exports in kind, t

The export market for walnuts from ECOWAS showed significant volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 501-fold difference between these years. In 2020, ECOWAS exported 989.3 t of walnuts, representing a dramatic year-over-year increase of 39 023.8%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from ECOWAS in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey (57.5% of exports in kind), Lebanon (17.3% of exports in kind), and Sri Lanka (7.8% of exports in kind) were the key export partners for ECOWAS, collectively accounting for 82.6% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from ECOWAS in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The export market in value terms exhibited notable volatility during these years. Exports hit their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 4 452-fold gap between these years. In 2020, ECOWAS exported walnuts worth 349.4 K $ US, marking a sharp year-over-year increase of 8 256.2%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 0.1 K $ US, with the largest decline also occurring in 2018 at 20.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from ECOWAS in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Turkey (53.7% of exports in value terms), Lebanon (10.4% of exports in value terms), and Sri Lanka (10.2% of exports in value terms) made the largest contributions to ECOWAS's walnut exports by value, jointly accounting for 74.3% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from ECOWAS in value, 2017-2020

Imports walnuts to ECOWAS

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, ECOWAS imported 36.9 t of walnuts, showing a strong year-over-year increase of 15.5%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 8.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -2.9%. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 32.0 t, while the maximum was in 2018 at 52.2 t. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 38.8%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 29.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to ECOWAS in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, France (29.0% of imports in kind), Spain (23.5% of imports in kind), and Portugal (9.6% of imports in kind) were the largest suppliers of walnuts to ECOWAS, together forming 62.1% of total imports in kind.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to ECOWAS in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Market performance for walnut imports in value terms showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 1.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, ECOWAS imported walnuts worth 208.0 K $ US, representing a sudden rise of 41.3% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 260.9 K $ US, with the largest decline occurring in 2019 at 43.6% and the largest increase in 2018 at 89.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to ECOWAS in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Spain (38.9% of imports in value terms), France (21.8% of imports in value terms), and Portugal (16.1% of imports in value terms) formed the key group of partners for walnut imports to ECOWAS by value, jointly representing 76.8% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to ECOWAS in value, 2017-2020